too vague for a title

Christmas Break. At noon the French toast and bacon are ready. I send Abel upstairs to get his brother and sister out of bed. Just because we can.

Life goes on and is busy, and I forget about my blog. I have all these half-written posts, so I hope to finish them and post more often this week and next—you know, when you have all this extra time to read blogs, In the meantime, here is a picture of Ilsa that goes with this old post. The picture was taken at the same place but on another day, and I came across it the other day when looking for something quite different.

I have been missing Morocco fiercely lately, yet I also realize that if I was there, I’d be longing for an American Christmas. Obviously I am a mess. I’ve heard the only place expatriates are happy is on the airplane–looking forward to finally getting back to their “real lives” no matter if they’re heading “home” or heading back overseas.

The only thing to do is enjoy our fat, full Christmas tree and the wonderful food that people keep giving me. And I have been.I have won a free week at a gym–I’m saving it for January.

Christmas shopping is going well. It’s nice to be in a place with so many options for everyone, not to mention all the fun small things that can be found to brighten the day. I’d tell you some of my treasures but my family might read this blog. Suffice it to say they will be pleased.

Today, Ilsa and I went to Powells. I said to Donn later, “The two of us going in there on our own…did you think you’d ever see us again?” Ilsa won a drawing contest at her school and the prize was a gift card. She used part of it to buy my Christmas present, so I had to make her a list and avert my eyes at key moments. On the way there, we plugged her ipod into the casette drive * and we listened to the Old 97s as we navigated the busy city streets, slick and shining with rain and lights. The last time I listened to those songs, I was driving in Rabat, speeding and slowing and blending and passing, dancing like an acrobat in and out of traffic. The sky was deep blue; the sun was shining on the ancient walls and orange groves of the city. I listened to the song and added a new layer of memory. Now when I hear it, which street will come to my mind?

*did I tell you about our free car? It’s a black Volvo sedan and it is awesome. Remember when cars didn’t have cup holders? Or FM radio? This car is an ’86 and it was a sweet car back in the day. It’s turbo and punchy, and a lot of fun to drive. Except when the sunroof leaks, but that’s another story.

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11 comments

Enjoy your Christmas! This year, we do not feel sad or homesick. We are having a huge party on Tuesday, and doing it our way. Seriously missing our absent friends, but wildly happy to have all our English family. Making new traditions!

7YO and hubs and I were out somewhere recently when an old Elton John song came on and I tried to explain to them how it was popular when I was in high school and what I was wearing and all the other sensory data. Turns out that is info that only a blog audience can appreciate.

I love your writing so much. Can I make a resolution binding you to blog daily in 2011?

Music does that to me, too. Like Antique Mommy, I often tell my kids what the song of the moment meant to me. Where I first heard it, how old I was, what grade I was in. They don’t really care, but I figure in 30 years they’ll be wisked back to childhood by that Black Eyed Peas song about how tonight’s gonna be a good good night.

I’m sorry that you are missing home while you are at home. I understand.

My move is imminent (days away now!!). The goodbyes have been hard, and yet I’m just ready to do it already. I know that it’s going to be a good transition, but hard in many ways. I have a lot of hopes for our “new life,” but a lot of fears that nothing will change.

Ahhh, Powell’s. One of my most favorite places on earth. I could spend days there, just breathing in the book smell. I’m so happy we’re not in Brazil for Christmas like we orginally planned- this year just called for relaxing at home. Merry Christmas!

I have a hundred photos of Jo sitting on a rock or log, staring at the beach in Africa, could be Ilsa.

We cry for Africa, its in our hearts. Sometimes I can’t believe all the places I’ve lived and all we’ve experienced. But I’m thankful for those experiences, even if it sometimes means a feeling of disorientation at times. And those times as expats give me compassion for my new friend from Shanghai. I know how she feels living here in Canada and trying to learn English. I know what a “local” friend means. And so I thank God for bringing Judy into my life at just THIS time.

I sang Tonight’s gonna be a good good night last New Year’s in Disneyland, a 4 day marathon drive from BD!!! And as I sang along in the jam packed crowds, I realized that maybe I was the only 50 year old who knew all the words… because teaching my son to drive meant listening to HIS music every day for an hour for months…. he drove, I sang…